In a lot of ways this game reminded me of the 3-1 win at Anfield and looking at the stats it’s easy to see why. Statistically speaking, Villa took a bit of a battering, but I’m not sure how many neutral observers could reconcile the game they witnessed with the stats below. I’m struggling myself, but I’m biased and I admit it, I thought MON’s men gave an enormous performance.

Unsurprisingly, as you’ll note in the average position map, the defense were pinned back more than usual, particularly Carlos Cuellar. However, Warnock was able to push up almost as much as the previous couple of games and Ashley Young was much more advanced, which is reflected in the fact that 52% of Villa’s attack went down the left.

Only MON will know whether such a left focused attack was his tactical instructions or just a consequence Chelsea’s lack of cover on their right side. The visitor’s left flank was well staffed by Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda which certainly explains Milner and Cuellar being pegged back. Lampard tended to occupy a more central position leaving Bosingwa without much cover and I think Warnock and Young dined out on it.

Villa might have scored both their goals from corners, but they were both won down the left. Coincidence? I think not.

One final observation for this post; aside from Delph in for Sidwell at Blackburn, this is the same side and essentially same system that lost in Blackburn, held £200m Citeh to a 1-1 draw and have now beaten title contenders Chelsea. MON may have switched to an obvious 4-5-1 with Gabby on the right to see out this game, but make no mistake, he’s largely employed a 4-4-2 over these last 3 games.

I’m sure we wouldn’t mind a do-over at Ewood Park, but there shouldn’t be too many complaints about how it’s worked out over the last 2 home games.

2	Aston Villa	Oct 17th 2009	Chelsea	1
	32	Possession %	68
	9	Shots	21
	3	On Target	7
	6	Corners	9
	3	Offsides	3
32′ Dunne, 52′ Collins		Scorers	15′ Drogba
Agbonlahor, Milner		Booked	A Cole
		Sent Off
	170	Good Passes	404
	72	Bad Passes	59
	21	Interceptions	22
	42	Tackles Won	35
	25	Tackles Lost	35
	7	Blocks	3
	16	Free Kicks	23
Starting XI: 1. Friedel 24. Cuellar 25. Warnock 29. Collins 5. Dunne 19. Petrov 4. Sidwell 7. Young 8. Milner 10. Carew 11. Agbonlahor Subs: 22. Guzan 18. Heskey 20. Reo-Coker 21. Shorey 26. Gardner 23. Beye 16. Delph
Average Position Map